Most architects have seen it, that one interview where the person has come in and had never made a mistake, every programme they have worked on has been on time and on budget with zero issues. And if the person is called out, then yes, maybe there were issues, but they certainly weren’t their fault, it was someone else who didn’t do their part right.
For me one of the best qualities in an architect is their ability for self reflection and understanding where they went wrong. I see many articles online that discuss the best traits/qualities of an architect such as holistic thinking, persuasiveness, strong communication skills etc. But, being able to take responsibility for your actions and learn from your mistakes is what sets apart the good from the great.
I’ve seen a shift in recent years, both on social media and in conversations with former colleagues, towards a more open and honest approach to discussing professional mistakes. It’s great to see people being more transparent about their failures and what they learned from them.
So, if you’re an architect looking to improve and grow in your career, don’t be the person who has never made a mistake. It takes humility and courage, but it’s an essential step towards becoming a better architect.
As I am writing this I’m thinking to myself this whole article could’ve been a mistake, but hey ho lets see.
If you are an architect reading this article and are game, I’d love to hear a mistake that you have learned from in the past.
